After Breaking the Ice-Beauty's Heart - Chapter 10

Chapter 10: I Absolutely Cannot Feel Sorry For Song Yuli Anymore.

The door opened.

“Surprise!”

Meng Jiayin, Xiao Lu, Xiao Wang… and some others she couldn’t remember the names of.

“Wow,” Song Yuli replied in a flat tone. Her mind hadn’t caught up, so the expression of surprise hadn’t loaded yet.

“No, why aren’t you surprised at all?” Meng Jiayin asked, confused. She had expected Song Yuli to be so happy she’d jump up and down, shedding tears of gratitude.

Not only was she not surprised, but she looked a little disappointed. What was that about?

Song Yuli’s expression finally loaded, forcing out a look that was meant to be surprised but came across as more horrified: “You all actually came!”

If the person in front of her weren’t her most capable employee, and if it weren’t her birthday, Meng Jiayin would have rolled her eyes. She managed to suppress her speechless expression and said, “Cut it out. Don’t act like that. People might think we’re bad guys. Just be normal.”

Song Yuli immediately returned to her normal self, which, according to others, meant wearing a perpetual cold expression, as if someone had always just upset her.

“Everyone, come in.”

But today, Song Yuli was still a little more human than usual; at the very least, her tone was much gentler.

Perhaps it was because her birthday wish from last year had come true today.

She liked celebrating her birthday even more now.

“Okay—”

Xiao Wang or Xiao Yun replied and carried the gifts inside.

After everyone from outside had entered, Song Yuli stood at the door and peeked out again, scanning the area.

“What are you looking at? Everyone’s here,” Meng Jiayin said to Song Yuli.

No.

One person was still missing.

But she probably wouldn’t be coming today.

Song Yuli closed the door, shutting out the world outside, and had a lively birthday celebration in the pouring rain.

She could only describe it as “lively.”

Because they were truly loud.

It was as if a group of overworked employees had finally gotten a break. Away from their computers and boring documents, they were joyful and exuberant. Their pent-up frustration had turned into energy, and even their dark circles under their eyes had tactfully disappeared.

As Song Yuli watched them, she felt as if they were animals that had been released from a cage. It wasn’t the best analogy, but seeing their wild revelry made her feel a newfound sense of joy.

On any other day, Song Yuli might have been annoyed by the noise. But right now, she was a little happy.

Because at this very moment, there was a big cake and a group of friends in front of her. She had finally fulfilled Zhou Nianzhi’s request.

But in such a lively and joyful place, how could Zhou Nianzhi not be here?

Zhizhi loved to laugh and have fun with a group of people.

Before Song Yuli could get sad, Meng Jiayin poked her arm with her elbow and asked, “Xiao Song, where’s the cake that friend of yours brought?”

Song Yuli was pulled out of her thoughts and didn’t know how to answer. She couldn’t very well say, “Zhizhi bought this for me, and I don’t want to share it with you.”

“Alright, I get it,” Meng Jiayin said. Seeing her silence, she probably guessed the reason and nodded in agreement.

Song Yuli was confused: “What?”

Meng Jiayin said confidently, “You definitely prefer this big cake you ordered yourself, not that little one. You secretly threw it away.”

Song Yuli: …you’re really good at guessing.

“I know all about it. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone,” Meng Jiayin whispered. “That cake didn’t look very nice anyway, but it’s still wrong to waste food.”

Song Yuli thought for a moment and decided it wasn’t worth explaining. But when she heard the last part, she raised an eyebrow and said, “Sister Jiayin, it seems you didn’t eat much of the cake I gave you.”

Meng Jiayin’s eyes widened. She put her hands on her hips and said, “Hey, hey, it’s because I’m on a diet. Oh, by the way, can I pack some cake to take home? My roommate likes this kind of thing.”

“Sure, just take it,” Song Yuli agreed readily.

As long as she didn’t take the cake Zhou Nianzhi gave her.

Seeing that everyone was tired from playing, Song Yuli stood up and poured each person a glass of water.

Meng Jiayin asked, “Aren’t you drinking?”

Song Yuli shook her head and said, “I have some.”

With that, she walked over to the water glass Zhou Nianzhi had left on the table, which she hadn’t finished. She tilted her head back and took a sip.

There was still a mark left by Zhou Nianzhi’s lips on the glass.

“Birthday girl, come and play with us!” a colleague enthusiastically called out to Song Yuli.

“Okay.”

As Song Yuli put down the glass, the water inside sloshed around. A single drop of water broke free from the glass and leaped out.

It landed on Zhou Nianzhi’s umbrella.

On her way home, Zhou Nianzhi walked along the wall, listening to the patter of raindrops hitting the umbrella, as if they were playing music.

But today, it was a different song.

“Happy birthday to you~”

Zhou Nianzhi tilted her umbrella in a different direction.

“Happy birthday to you!”

She moved away from the wall, walking toward where the rain was heavier.

“Happy birthday to you—’

All the rainwater from the trees fell down, creating a long, drawn-out sound on her umbrella.

Under the warm yellow streetlights, the puddles on the ground shone brightly. Even though it was a rainy night, Zhou Nianzhi felt as if she could see sunlight.

The closer she got to the apartment complex, the rain slowly began to subside. By the time she reached the building, she could put her umbrella away. Before entering the main door, she shook the water off her umbrella. The spray of water mimicked her endless thoughts.

On the way back from the hospital, she had been thinking: would Song Yuli dislike her cake? Would she be annoyed that she was interfering in her life again and again? Had she pretended to look for the hair clip just to get her to leave quickly? Would she…

Zhou Nianzhi was in a state of turmoil.

More than worrying that Song Yuli was annoyed with her, she hated herself for repeatedly turning back.

She told herself it was out of compassion and a soft heart, but in reality, it was just her irresponsible way of fulfilling her own wishes.

How hateful!

Even if this person was herself, she would still angrily curse her—

Player!

She, Zhou Nianzhi, vowed right here and now that since they were destined not to be together, she would no longer provoke Song Yuli.

Not even a little bit!

But as soon as she stepped out of the elevator, Zhou Nianzhi forgot the vow she had just made.

But she couldn’t be blamed.

Who wouldn’t feel sympathy for a pale-faced Song Yuli, crouched in front of her door, curled up in a tiny ball, her little wronged face buried in her arms, looking so pitiful?

Especially since the person was Zhou Nianzhi.

She walked over in surprise, looking around. Before she could say anything, Song Yuli looked up first and said to her, “What took you so long to get back?”

Zhou Nianzhi was startled and let out a questioning “Ah.”

Seeing Song Yuli become more and more unhappy, Zhou Nianzhi panicked and crouched down as well: “I just got off work. What’s wrong? Are you running a fever? Or is it period cramps?”

Song Yuli said in a muffled voice, “Cramps.”

Her voice was hoarse, vulnerable, and broken, like an abandoned puppy that refused to leave, but could only stay by the door, waiting for its owner to soften their heart.

Ah—

Zhou Nianzhi felt like she wanted to scream like a groundhog.

No, no, she had just made a vow.

She absolutely cannot feel sorry for Song Yuli anymore.

“Zhou Nianzhi.”

Song Yuli called her name softly again, her eyes clear, with a shimmering, watery gaze.

The wall she had just built in her heart collapsed again. All her supposed stoicism could be shattered by a single, soft call from Song Yuli.

It was a good thing that two years ago, she had just disappeared.

Not seeing each other was a good thing, at least it didn’t make things difficult.

She could just be sad on her own.

But why…

Was Song Yuli in front of her again?

And looking so pitiful?

Sigh, heavens.

Could she take back the vow she just made…?

“Well…” Zhou Nianzhi started to speak but trailed off. She had been busy with her stall for the past two days, and her apartment was a complete mess. She was so exhausted every day that she would fall asleep as soon as she lay down. She had no energy to clean the place.

Song Yuli slowly leaned against the wall and stood up, saying weakly, “I was hoping you could help me out.”

“Okay.” Zhou Nianzhi didn’t ask any more questions. Instead, she took a step forward, intending to reach out her hand, but she hesitated and didn’t offer her hand to Song Yuli.

Seeing the person in front of her looking so miserable, Zhou Nianzhi’s heart ached so much she couldn’t speak. She guessed Song Yuli wanted her to take care of her.

Just this once, it’ll be fine.

Zhou Nianzhi kept reassuring herself, but she still felt a little guilty.

Even when Song Yuli felt this awful, she still thought of her first.

Could it be that after all these years…

But at that moment, Song Yuli had already stood up and slowly started walking toward her own apartment, saying, “My stomach hurts. Could you please help me clean up my place?”

Okay, I was overthinking it.

Zhou Nianzhi didn’t know whether to feel relieved or disappointed, but her feet had already moved forward, following Song Yuli’s pace.

It was just a birthday. How messy could it be that she needed to call me to help clean…?

She pushed the door open.

Zhou Nianzhi’s jaw almost dropped in shock.

“Did a robbery happen here?” Zhou Nianzhi said, looking around in disbelief. “How could it be so…”

She swallowed the rest of the sentence. It was probably better not to say anything. It seemed Song Yuli was also pretty helpless.

Large and small beverage bottles rolled on the floor. Unfinished snacks lay open, facing the ceiling. Cake was smeared everywhere, as if even the walls wanted to celebrate the birthday. A dishcloth, heavy with its cleaning duty, was slumped on the table. A broom leaned against the table, as if it were hunched over, sighing at the chaotic scene.

“I didn’t want to trouble you,” Song Yuli lowered her eyes and clutched her lower abdomen. “It’s just that I feel so terrible, and you’re the only person I know nearby.”

Zhou Nianzhi was still admiring the sight. She instinctively let out an “Ah” before regaining her composure, waving her hand and saying, “It’s okay, it’s okay. If you don’t clean it up tonight, you might attract rats or insects. We should get it done quickly.”

With that, Zhou Nianzhi rolled up her sleeves, grabbed the broom and a cloth, and started working.

Just like she was in her own home.

Song Yuli poured her a glass of water and handed it to her.

Zhou Nianzhi took the water, took a sip, and placed it beside her, continuing to pick up the snack bags from the floor. Suddenly, as if remembering something, she looked up at Song Yuli and said, “You should go rest. You’re supposed to rest early when you have your period. I’ll finish up quickly.”

Song Yuli said she would, but her hands were not idle. She helped Zhou Nianzhi clean up.

At first, Zhou Nianzhi tried to persuade her to rest, but seeing that it was no use, she didn’t say anything else.

The sooner they finished cleaning, the sooner Song Yuli could rest.

And the sooner she could leave.

But why was it still so messy, even with two of them cleaning?!

Zhou Nianzhi couldn’t help but mutter, “Your friends had a really good time.”

She pouted, not continuing to complain that they didn’t even help clean up the apartment.

Song Yuli just said a faint “Mhm” without explaining, letting Zhou Nianzhi think what she wanted.

Meanwhile, Meng Jiayin sneezed.

Xiao Lu came closer, asking with concern, “Sister Jiayin, you didn’t catch a chill, did you? The evening wind is a bit cold.”

Meng Jiayin rubbed the tip of her nose and shook her head, “My body is too strong to catch a cold.”

Xiao Lu didn’t say anything else.

“It’s just Xiao Song…” Meng Jiayin suddenly remembered Song Yuli’s slightly pale face when they parted, and how weak she looked when she was holding things. She looked so pitiful. “…I wonder if she’s feeling better.”

“Xiao Song hadn’t fully recovered from her cold, and she had cramps. She didn’t even eat much of her cake. She was so weak, yet she didn’t want us to help her clean up the place,” Xiao Lu said, shrugging with a hint of helplessness. “We wanted to stay and help her or take care of her, but she said she was worried about us getting home late and told us to leave first.”

“She’s a real workaholic. She can pull all-nighters every day,” Xiao Wang said, a hint of admiration in her voice. She really wanted to give Song Yuli a thumbs-up in her heart.

Meng Jiayin didn’t say anything, carrying the cake in her hand. She just had a feeling that there was a hidden motive behind Song Yuli’s actions.

Just like when the usually reserved Song Yuli had suddenly recommended a small stall that sold accessories and hair clips, even treating everyone to dinner for it.

She was truly impossible to figure out.